Automatically adjustable socket wrench



Sept. 5, 1967 L.. VAN `DALEN ETAL AUTOMATIGALLY ADJUSTABLE SOCKET WRENCH 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed'Feb. 1, 196e /VI/f/ZQ HORACE cmssrow, Jp. LEONARD VAN DALEN @y l mw, l@

ATTORNEY.

SePt- 5,. 1967 L.. VAN DALEN ETAL `3,339,439

AUTOMATICALLYy ADJUSTABLE SOCKET WRENCH Filed Feb. I, 1966 /lVl/IV/P. HoRAcE c. mssToN, JR. LEONARD VAN DALEN 5y MaJ/ Arima/5K United States Patent 3,339,439 AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTABLE SOCKET WRENCH Leonard Van Dalen and Horace C. Disston, Jr., Westmont, NJ., assignors to Seaboard Tools, Cherry Hill, jNJ., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Feb. 1, 1966, Ser. No. 524,205 9 Claims. (Cl. 81-112) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The specification herein discloses, in essence, a handle carrying a longitudinally extending tubular closer with a cylindrical array of jaws slidable in the closer yfor radial expansion upon extension from the closer and radial contraction upon retraction into the closer, for manual depression of t-he handle with the jaws about a bolthead, nut or the like to firmly grip the latter.

' vThis invention relates generally to tools, and is especially concerned with automatically adjustable wrenches.

While it has been attempted in the past to provide automatically adjustable wrenches, as for embracing engagement with a size range of nuts or bolts, the prior devices proposed for this purpose have not been entirely satisfactory, requiring relatively complex and expensive structure readily subject to wear and damage, and often requiring skilled manipulation defeating the intended advantages of automatic adjustment.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide an automatically adjustable wrench construction which accommodates itself to receive and Iirmlylem'brace nuts, boltheads and like articles of different sizes Iby mere engagement and downward pressure on the article to be engaged and whereby the embracing enga-gement is effectively maintained during the required turning, and released or held, as desired, subsequent to the turning operation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an automatically self-adjusting wrench which is extremely simple in construction, requiring a minimum of parts, durable and reliable throughout a long useful life, and which can he economically manufactured for sale at areasonable price. 4It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an automatically adjustable wrench construction having the advantageous characteristics mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, which is admirably well suited for u'se in conjunction with automatic or push-pull-type screwdrivers.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure. The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a side elevational view showing an auto- "matically adjusting socket wrench constructed in accord- 'ance with the teachings of the present invention, and partly broken away;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken generally along the line 2 2 of FIGURE 1, enlarged for clarity, and illustrating the internal construction of a socket wrench'of the present invention in an expanded condition;

' FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal sectional view similar to "ice FIGURE 2, but illustrating the wrench in a contracted condition;

FIGURE 4 is an outer end View taken generally along the line 4 4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is an outer end view taken the line 5-5 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is an exploded side view showing the component parts of the socket wrench of FIGURES 1-5; and

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view, partly in section, illustrating use of the instant socket wrench in conjunction with an automatic or push-pull driver mechamsm.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURE 1 thereof, the wrench structure is there generally designated 10, and is constituted of handle means 11 including a handle proper or handgrip member 12, and a shank 13 extending from the handgrip. In use as a nut-and-bolt driver, the handle member 12 may `be of elongate configuration essentially similar to that of a conventional screwdriver, and the shank 13 may extend longitudinally from one end of the handle, lbeing rigidly secured thereto. Of course, other handle means may Ibe employed, as desired, say for achieving increased torque, accommodating to conditions of limited rotation, or other.

From the extending end of shank 13, remote from handle 12, there extends the socket structure, generally designated 15. This structure is best seen in FIGURES generally along The shank 13 is illustrated in FIGURES 2, 3 and 6, as having a longitudinally extending, generally cylindrical distal end portion 16 remote from the handle 12. The shank end portion 16 has a generally circular end face 17, facing away from the handle, and a circumferential or annular shoulder 18 is provided about the end portion 16 at a location spaced inward from the end face 17.

A hollow, open-ended, generally cylindrical or tubular member 20 has one end portion 21 snugly engaged about the -cylindrical lshank end portion 16, with an end edge 22 of the tube 20* in abutting engagement with lche shoulder 18. The tubular member 20 is suitably fixed to the shank end portion 16 by any suitable means, such as a. transverse pin 23 extending through the tubularmember end portion 21 into the shank end portion 16.

The tubular member 20 serves as a closer, as will appear more fully hereinafter, and extends longitudinally of the shank 13 beyond the shank end face 17, having its extending or outer end open, as at 24. At circumferentially spaced locati-ons about the outer end 24 of tubular closer 20 are formed a plurality of internal projections or lugs 25, being six in number in the illustrated embodiment. The internal projections or lugs 25 may be defined `by circumferentially spaced inwardly struck portions of the closer end 24. The internal surface of the closer 20 may be generally cylindrical, and may be formed adjacent to its outer end 24 with an internal circumferential recess or groove, as at 26. Externfally, adjacent to the inner closer end 22, the inner closer end 'portion 21 may be reduced, as at 27 for rotatably receiving a rotary or swivel collar 28. The closer 20 may be provided intermediate its ends, in spaced relation between the external reduced portion 27 and internal recess 26, with a pair of diametrically opposed, longitudinally extending thru slots 29.

Internally of the closer 20, see FIGURE 3, there is 1ocated a generally cylindrical array of elongate jaws 30. The array of jaws 30 is arranged concentrically within the closer 20; and, the inner ends of the jaws are connected together to maintain the same 'in their cylindrical array while affording longitudinal movement to the jaws relative to the encompassing closer 20. More particularly, the inner ends of jaws 30 are all connected to or integral with an annular connecting member 31 mounted slidably within the closer 20. Viewed otherwise, the several jaws 30 extend longitudinally outward from circumferentially spaced locations on the connecting member 31. The jaws 30 terminate at their outer ends in respective jaws proper 32 having radially inwardly facing jaw faces 33. The jaw faces 33 are generally arcuate, best seen in FIGURES 4 and 5, having their center of curvature generally coaxial with the annular jaw array. Further, each jaw 30 is provided on its inner side with a radially inward projection, as at 34, adjacent to and spaced inward from the respective outer jaw end. The internal projections 34 each define an abutment surface 35 extending radially inward from the inner end of a respective arcuate jaw face 33, approximately normal thereto, and facing longitudinally outward away from the shank 13. The outer side of each jaw 30 is provided with a longitudinally extending oblique surface 36 which tapers in the longitudinally inward direction. More specifically, the external jaw surfaces 36 each extend from a medial jaw region obliquely outward, both longitudinally and radially, terminating in an outer generally flat holding surface 37. In effect, this oblique external jaw surface 36 serves to thicken the outer jaw regions, particularly adjacent to the radial projections 34 and jaws proper 32. Inward of the longitudinally oblique, radially outer jaw surfaces 36, the jaws 30 may be relatively thin, as at 38, affording a desired degree of resilient flexibility.

The condition of jaws 30 shown in FIGURE 2 may be the rest condition or relatively unstressed condition, with the jaws proper 32 radially apart from each other or expanded. In this condition the jaw faces 33 may diverge slightly in the longitudinally outward direction, say about six degrees. The jaw condition shown in FIG- URE 3 is that of a relatively stressed condition, the inner jaw regions 38 being resiliently deflected inward toward each other to contract the jaws proper 32 radially inward toward each other. In this contracted jaw condition the jaw faces 33 may define circumferentially spaced segments of a cylinder.

Circumposed about the tubular closer 30 is a generally cylindrical or tubular, open-ended slider or actuator 40. The tubular actuator 40 is longitudinally slidable on the closer 20, and a pin 41 may extend diametrically across the inner end region of actuator 40, slidably through slots 29, to constrain the actuator to limited longitudinal sliding movement. Further, the pin 41 extends diametrically through the jaw-connecting member 31, so that the jaws 30 are constrained to longitudinal movement with the slider or actuator 40. If desired, the outer end region of the cylindrical actuator 40 may be internally recessed, as at 42, and the slider terminates at its outer end 43 adjacent to the outer ends of jaws 30 to protectively encompass the latter.

It will now be apparent that, upon manual actuation of the slider 40, as between the extended and retracted positions of FIGURES 2 and 3, the outer ends of jaws 30 are extended beyond the outer end of closer 24, and retracted internally within the closer. Upon this relative extension and retraction of jaws 30, the internal projections or lugs 25 each engage between an adjacent pair of jaws, while the outer jaw surfaces 36 ride on the outer closer end 24, to effect by camming action, radial expansion and contraction of the jaws proper 32, respectively. In the fully contracted position of jaws proper 32, the nontapering outer jaw surfaces 37 may engage in the closet end portion recess 26, as shown in FIGURE 3.

Located within the closer 20, being interposed between shank end 17 and connecting member 31, may be a coil compression spring 45, or other suitable resilient means, urging the jaw-and-slider assembly 30, 40 longitudinally outward. The strength of spring 45 may be selected, in

conjunction with the taper of cam surfaces 36 and resilient strength of jaws 30, to make the jaws frictionally retaining in any selected position of extension, or to afford the jaws a constant outward resilient biasing force.

The jaw construction shown in FIGURES 1-6 is illustrated as for use in driving hexagonal nuts or boltheads, having six jaws 30, but may be of other number and shape, if desired. For example, round, polygonal and other-shape nuts, boltheads, and the like may also be grasped and driven by a wrench of the present invention. In the removal of a hex-head bolt, the wrench in the condition shown in FIGURE 2 is engaged on the bolthead with the latter abutting the abutment surfaces 35. Force applied to the shank 13 effects movement of the closer 20 with its end 24 riding on the cam surfaces 36 to close the jaws 32 and retract the latter toward the closer. Upon contraction of the jaws 32, the corners of the hex head will engage between adjacent pairs of the jaws, and the jaw faces 33 will engage respective sides of the bolthead, until the bolthead is firmly grasped by the jaws, the effective jaw surfaces being the edges thereof proximate to the hex-head corners. In this condition, rotative force applied to the shank 13 is effectively transmitted to the bolthead proximate to the corners thereof, so as to have a high moment arm. The slight taper of jaw faces 33 in the opened or expanded jaw condition facilitates entry of a nut or bolthead into position between the jaw faces, while the reduced taper or absence thereof in the closed position insures maximum applied turning force, and retention of the free nut or bolt, if desired. This jaw-face divergence facilitates release of even the smallest articles grasped by the jaws. In the nutor boltturning action, the lugs 25 effectively maintain the desired jaw spacing and resist reaction torques and damage to the jaws.

As is apparent in FIGURES 4 and 5 illustrating the extreme open and closed positions of the jaws 32, the abutment surfaces 35 extend radially inwardly sufficiently to engage a received nut, while the diametral spacing between the internal projections 34 is sufficient to rotatably accommodate a bolt projecting beyond the received nut.

As discussed hereinbefore, the angle of cam surfaces 36, and resilience of paws 30, as well as the force of spring 45, may be selected to insure holding action of a nut, bolthead, or other article engaged by the jaws 32; or, automatic discharge of the held article, if desired. Thus, the actuator 40 may require manual actuation,4 as by outward sliding thereof, to discharge a held article, unless such discharge is automatic, in which case the actuator may be manually retracted to hold the jaws in gripping engagement with a received nut or the like, as for placement in a difficult or remote location. By this construction, tools having different characteristics may be provided of the same general design. The swivel collar or sleeve 28 facilitates holding the tool in gripping engagement with an article while effecting rotation, thereof, as will readily be apparent.

In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 7, a socket wrench is there generally designated 10a, and includes handle means 11a `and socket means 15a. The adjustable socket means 15a may be substantially identical to the corresponding means 15 of FIGURE l. However, the handle means 11a may be of the automatic-screwdriver or spiralratchet type, which is well known and includes a spirally grooved shank 50. A coupling 51 is provided on the shank 50, and a socket head shank 13a is configured for engagement with the coupling 51, either fixed or removable. In use, the handle means 11a effects rotation of the socket means 15a by push-pull action of the handle means. This more quickly rotates a bolt, nut or other article to place or remove the same, as required. Further, it will be appreciated by virtue of the longitudinally outwardly biasing force of either cam surfaces 36 or spring 45, or both, that the socket means 15a will have no -tendency to withdraw or remove from the gripped nut or bolt upon the required push-pull action.

While the wrench construction of the present invention has been illustrated 'and described in association with manual and automatic o1' spiral ratchet handle means, it is appreciated that other such handle means may be employed, as desired, say that of an electric drill chuck operated at low speed, or other.

From the foregoing, it is seen that the present invention provides an automatically adjustable socket wrench which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modications may be made within thespirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatically adjustable socket wrench comprising an elongate handle shank, a hallow tubular closer extending longitudinally from one end of said handle shank and terminating in an open end, a generally cylindrical array of elongate jaws having their inner ends internally of said closer and extending outwardly therefrom away from said shank to terminate in radially inwardly facing spaced jaw faces, connection means internally of said closer connecting together the inner jaw ends and mounted for movement longitudinally of said closer to shift the outer jaw ends between an extended position extern-ally of said closer and a retracted position interiorly of said closer, said jaws being resiliently deectable between a relatively unstressed radially expanded position of said jaw faces and a relatively stressed radially contracted position of said jaw faces, cam means on the outer sides of said j-aws slidably engageable with said closer to effect movement of said jaw faces to said radially contracted position upon retraction of said jaws and to release said jaws to their radially expanded position upon extension of said jaws, an actuator slidable externally on said closer, and tie means connected to said actuator and jaws for manually effecting extension and retraction of said jaws upon sliding movemen-t of said actuator on said closer.

2. An automatically adjustable socket Wrench according to claim 1, in combination with a plurality of internal projections on said closer interposed .between adjacent pairs of jaws to reinforce the latter against reaction torque.

3. An automatically adjustable socket wrench according to claim 2, said tie means comprising a transverse member extending through said closer and constrained against rotation relative to said jaws and closer to transmit reaction torque from said jaws to said handle shank.

4. An automatically adjustable socket wrench according to claim 3, said actuator comprising a cylindrical cover protectively surrounding said closer and jaws.

5. An automatically adjust-able socket wrench according to claim 1, in combination with longitudinally outwardly facing abutment means on the inner side of said jaws for abutment with a polygonal object to be engaged by said jaw faces whereupon depression of said handle elects closure of said jaws.

6. An automatically adjustable socket wrench according to claim 1, said cam means comprising external surfaces on said jaws diverging longitudinally outwardly of said jaws to effect jaw-face contraction and expansion upon retraction and extension of the jaws relative to said closer.

7. An automatically adjustable socket wrench according to claim 6, said cam-means surfaces being of predetermined configuration to frictiona'lly hold said jaws or urge said jaws longitudinally outwardly by the resilience of said jaws.

8. An automatically adjustable socket wrench according to claim 1, in combination with resilient compression means interposed between said handle means and jaws to yieldably urge the latter longitudinally outwardly.

9. An automatically adjustable socket wrench according to claim 6, said jaw faces being configured to diverge in the longitudinally outward direction of said jaws when expanded, said jaw-face divergence being reduced upon said jaw-face contraction, and longitudinally outwardly facing Iabutment means on the inner sides of said jaws for abutment with a polygonal object to be engaged by said jaw faces, whereupon depression of said handle elects closure of said jaws.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 228,860 6/1880 Birch 81-112 567,405 9/ 1896 McDonald 81-112 1,232,735 7/1917 Torvik 81-112 1,299,764 4/1919 Normoyle. 2,555,836 6/1951 Werich 81-112 X 2,599,026 6/ 1952 Strayer 81-112 2,701,494 2/ 1955 Johnson 81-112 X 3,052,906 9/1962 Shilman 81-114 X 3,210,836 10/1965 Johanson et al. 81-112 X FOREIGN PATENTS 19,391 1901 Great Britain. 286,478 1928 Great Britain.

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner. MILTON S. MEHR, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTABLE SOCKET WRENCH COMPRISING AN ELONGATE HANDLE SHANK, A HOLLOW TUBULAR CLOSER EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY FROM ONE END OF SAID HANDLE SHANK AND TERMINATING IN AN OPEN END, A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL ARRAY OF ELONGATE JAWS HAVING THEIR INNER ENDS INTERNALLY OF SAID CLOSER AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM AWAY FROM SAID SHANK TO TERMINATE IN RADIALLY INWARDLY FACING SPACED JAW FACES, CONNECTION MEANS INERNALLY OF SAID CLOSER CONNECTING TOGETHER THE INNER JAWS ENDS AND MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID CLOSER TO SHIFT THE OUTER JAW ENDS BETWEEN AN EXTENDED POSITION EXTERNALLY OF SAID CLOSER AND A RETRACTED POSITION INTERIORLY OF SAID CLOSER, SAID JAWS BEING RESILIENTLY DEFLECTABLE BETWEEN A RELATIVELY UNSTRESSED RADIALLY EXPANDED POSITION OF SAID JAW FACES AND A RELATIVELY STRESSED RADIALLY CONTRACTED POSITION OF SAID JAW FACES, CAM MEANS ON THE OUTER SIDES OF SAID JAWS SLIDABLY ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID CLOSER TO EFFECT MOVEMENT OF SAID JAW FACES TO SAID RADIALLY CONTRACTED POSITION UPON RETRACTION OF SAID JAWS AND TO RELEASE SAID JAWS TO THEIR RADIALLY EXPANDED POSITION UPON EXTENSION OF SAID JAWS, AN ACTUATOR SLIDABLE EXTERNALLY ON SAID CLOSER, AND TIE MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID ACTUATOR AND JAWS FOR MANUALLY EFFECTING EXTENSION AND RETRACTION OF SAID JAWS UPON SLIDING MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATOR ON SAID CLOSER. 